Indentable jack-type connector



1953 H. P. DUPRE ET AL 2,659,876

INDENTABLE JACK-TYPE CONNECTOR Filed Nov. 1, 1949 I MK A TTORNE Y Patented Nov. 17, 1953' UNITED STAT ES r TE T OFFICE INDENTAB ILE JACK-TYPE CONNECTOR Application November 1, 1949, Serial No. 124,842

1 Claim.

type of connector which permits quick connection and separation.

More particularly our invention relates to separable connectors employing a plug like end which engages a resilient insert contained in a receptacle made of malleable metal. Hitherto such resilient element has either formed a part of the jack or formed the receptacle itself. When formed as a part of the jack, it had to be compressed before insertion'into the receptacle, and additionally made indentation or crimping difiicult if not impossible. An example of this type is shown in the Rowley Patent No. 1,905,245. When the resilient element formed the receptacle itself, as shown in the Buchanan Patent No. 2,451,800, the resilient receptacle could not be readily indented or crimped as in the case where the receptacle is made or" malleable metal.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of our invention to provide an in-line type of connector which can be connected or separated along its longitudinal axis, and which counterpart members can be made from a malleable metal which 2 separable parts which can be easily connected and separated with a predetermined force and which can be economically manufactured.

We accomplish these and other objects and obtain our new results as will be apparent from the device described in the following specification, particularly pointed out in the claim, and illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in

whichi Fig. 1 is a side elevation View of a terminal type of electrical connection.

Fig. 2 is a top plan view of a terminal type of socket member.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation view of the same, partially in section, with the spring securing means mounted in position.

b Fig. 4 is a side elevation View of the plug mem- Fig. 5 is a side elevation enlarged view of the spring securing means.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation view of the same,

Fig. '7 is a side elevation view of a splice type of connection.

Fig. 8 is an enlarged transverse sectional View taken along line 8-8 in Fig. 7 showing a posi can be readily indented or crimped to the bared connection member of any transverse stress due to, the securing action; to provide a securing means that can be spread apart independently of the connector member within which it is enclosed; to provide a securing means that will be completely enclosed within one of the connector members and mounted therein independently of the counterpart connector member, and which will protect the contact surfaces of the connection when made from external damage and corrosion; to provide a positive securing means to lock the connector members together; to pro- Vide a connector which requires a minimumoi lateral clearance between adjacent connections, permitting an installation with a maximum number of connections in a given space; and to protive locking means to secure the connector members together.

In the drawing reference numeral l6 designates a longitudinal displaced type of terminal connector comprising a socket member II and a plug member ii.

The socket member I l is constructed of malleable metal tubing, preferably of soft copper, having a tubular or hollow body portion It with an open end M. The remainder of the tube is swedged into a work hardened flattened lug portion I5 having anattaching aperture It for securement to a supporting structure, not shown.

A resilient spring element H, shown in detail in Figures 5 and 6, is mounted within the hollow body portion is and retained in position therein by restricting the periphery of the open end [4, such as by peening, to form the shoulder H3. The spring element [1 has a transverse oval shape and is longitudinally split along one end to form free spaced ends l9 and 20. There is sufiicient clearance between the oval shaped spring and the inner surface of the holher and provide the maximum gripping efiect. The oval shape insures the retention of the spring within the hollow portion l3 despite its narrow diameter across the gripping sides.

Embossed portions 2! and 22 may be formed transversely on each side of the spring extendin diametrically toward each other at the smaller diameter of the oval shaped spring to form inter-engaging means for securing the plug member to the socket member, as will be hereinafter described. The spring element ll may be constructed of beryllium copper to pro- VAUe good conductivity anu sumcient resiliency. ihe plug llleiilbbr is, shown in detail in rig.

4 comprises a sleeve portion at one eno. hav- 1 ing a shroud he to receive the insulation of the conductor 2s. The plug member l2 maybe made or malleable copper suitable Ior indentation or the sleeve portion to the bared end of the conductor as at at. The reduced endfi of the plug member is received within the hollow body portion 13 of the socket member and is of a cylindrical conhguration having a peripheral groove Zu. i'he groove 28 is engaged-by the embossed portions 2a and 22 when the members are completely connected together. The .end .29 of the plug is rounded to racilitate entry into the hollow body portion [3 and the spring therein. l'he reduced end 27 or" the plug is work hardened when reduced to resist wear from making and separating the connection.

To make the connection, the plug member 12 is conveniently gripped by the sleeve portion 23 and inserted into the hollow body portion 13 of the socket member. The reduced end 2i of the plug member being larger than the .smaller diameter of the oval spring 51, causes the spring to be spread apart insuring a wiping action. When groove 28 on the plug member is aligned with the embossed portions 2| and 2.2 on the spring, the spring recloses around the reduced end 27 of the plug member, securing the.members together and producing multiple lines of contact along the longitudinal surface of the plug. The entire contact thus occurs completely within the hollow body member being protected against external damage and corrosion. The members can be separated by applying a predetermined pull, the spring ll being retained within the hollow body portion, during removal of the plug member, by the shoulder I8.

In Fig. '7 is illustrated a modification using the invention in a splice type connector 30. This modification employs a malleable sleeve extension 5;! integral with the hollow body portion 32 in place of the terminal lug l5 as'shown in the'modification in Figures 1 to 4 inclusive -'to permit indentation as at 33 to the baredend 3B of the insulated wire 35. As in the modifica" tion shown in Figs. 1-4 inclusive, oval shaped spring 35 having embossed portions -31 and 33 similar to spring I? is mounted within the hollow body portion 32. The plug member 39 is similar to plug member 12, having a sleeveportion to terminating in a reduced end'portion M with groove 42. The reduced end portion ii is work. hardened during machining "to "resist Wear. While in the modification shown'ini ig. 7, the shroud portion 24, 'as shown'in Fig.4,has been omitted from the sleeves 3i and All, the shroud may be provided when desirable.

The operation of the modificationdisclosedin Figs. 7 and 8 .is similar to that of the .modification shown in Figs. 1 to A inclusive. -With 4 the sleeves 3| and 40 indented to their respective conductors, the connection is mane as previously described.

Where it IS necessary for any particular instahation to have a positive locking means to Secure the plug within the socket member after the connection has been made, a screw us or similar means may be provided, as illustrated in mg. 8, extenomg through the hollow body portion 32 at one side. The screw may be tightened abutting the side of the spring so and IuiC- ing the spring against the reduced end or the plug member, locking the embossed portions 31 and 38 within the groove 11;: preventing withdrawal 01' the plug member. To prevent the spring from turning within the hollow body 52, a portion of the body may be indented or embossed to provide .a stop a l extending between the 1ree ends or the spring maintaining the .spring'in position with respect to the screw 13.

with our novel device We can obtain a conhector that is constructed of malleable metal suitable for indentation to a conductor. By providing a:res1l1ent securing spring mounted within the malleable connector We can relieve the malleable connector from any stress due to the securing action between the connector counterpart members. We .can work harden that portion of the malleable connector that receives Wear or requiresstrength to support the connector .to a terminal or the like. By completely enclosing .the resilient securing spring within one connector member, the electrical contact areas between the counterpart connector members are protected from the weather to efiectuate a more efilcient connection. Where a positive locking means between the counterpart connectors is necessary for any particular installation, a screw or like means maybe provided in one of the connector members to prevent separation of the connector members. Our device is simple to operate and requires a minimum lateral space, and permits the connectors to be used in terminal type and splice type of connections. By providing an in-line displaced connector separable along the longitudinal axis, we forego the necessity of slack wire to make and break the connection.

We have thus described our invention, but we desire it understood that it is not confined to the particular forms or uses shown and described, the same being merely illustrative, and that the invention may be carried out in other ways without departing from the spirit of our invention, and, therefore, we claim broadly the right to employ all equivalent instrumentalities coming within the scope of the appended claim, and by means of which, objects of our invention are attained and-new results accomplished, as it is obvious thatthe particular embodiments herein shown and described are only some of the many that can be employed to attain these objects and accomplish these results.

We claim:

An electrical connector comprising a socket member and a plug member, said socket member having a hollow body with an open end, said plug member terminating in a portion for insertion into the hollow body, a tubular sheet metal spring, non-circular and uniform in cross-section, having a long and a short width and an open slot extending from one end thereof to the other, said spring engagingthe Walls of the socket at thelong width, and providing sufficient clearance v.at .the-short width for enabling the spring to resiliently accommodate the plug, and an inwardly projecting detent provided at the short width of the spring for engaging the plug, said hollow body provided with a peened over edge for holding the spring at the short width movably therein, said plug provided with peripherally recessed portions for engaging the detent on the spring when the plug is inserted therein.

HENRY PETER DUPRE.

IRVING FREDERICK MATTHYSSE.

References Cited in the file Of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,237,718 Speice Aug. 21, 1917 1,753,317 Rothen Apr. 8, 1930 Number 15 Number Name Date Drachman, et a1. Apr. 23, 1940 Parker July 7, 1942 Dante July 20, 1943 Rogoff Mar. 13, 1945 Jackson May 8, 1945 Korn Dec. 25, 1945 Penfold Nov. 25, 1947 Larkins, Jr. Apr. 27, 1948 Erb July 6, 1948 Del Camp July 19, 1949 Ostrak Dec. 6, 1949 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France Nov. 15, 1924 France Feb. 12, 1908 

